Tyler Nickel expected to join Knicks over potential college return

There is a bit more clarity surrounding Tyler Nickel’s Knicks future. 

There is momentum toward the second-round pick joining the team this year rather than returning to college, a league source confirmed to The Post. 

Nickel, whom the Knicks drafted with the No. 47 pick in June, is part of the 2022 class of college athletes who were granted a fifth year of eligibility — after a ruling from U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney late last month — if they’ve already exhausted their four years of eligibility. 

Nickel played four seasons of college basketball — one year at North Carolina, one year at Virginia Tech and then the past two seasons at Vanderbilt.

He could return to play one more season of college basketball.

Since the Knicks issued the required tender for unsigned second-round rookies ahead of the Aug. 5 deadline, they would retain his draft rights if he decided to pursue that route. 

But he is leaning toward starting his pro career with the Knicks. 

An NIL deal back in college would likely see him earn more money than he would make on a two-way deal with the Knicks.

It is not entirely clear if he is set to sign a two-way deal or a more lucrative standard contract with the Knicks, though the latter would prevent the team from signing a third center — a clear need on the roster — to a standard contract and remain under the second apron. 

Nickel, a 22-year-old sharpshooting forward, impressed in five games with the Knicks during summer league.

He averaged 12.2 points per game and shot 41.3 percent from 3-point range.

Josh Hart shouted out his performances on social media as well. 

The Knicks’ only other draft pick, second-rounder (No. 39) Jack Kayil, is returning to Germany to play professionally and continue his development.

The Knicks will retain his draft rights. 

SNY was first to report Nickel’s plan to join the Knicks.